The National Working Committee (NWC) of Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled the former minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana for anti-party activities.
The SDP Director of Media and Publicity, Yemi Akinbode, who briefed journalists on Tuesday in Abuja at the end of an emergency NWC meeting, said the party’s presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has also been suspended for disrespecting the leadership and disobedience to the rules and regulations of the party.
Akinbode, who said Prof. Gana violated the party’s constitution, added that he does not have locus standi to call the purported National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
The SDP spokesman, who said the expulsion was based on the power vested in the NWC by Article 19: 4, stated that the action was taken to avoid a situation whereby a single individual would collapse a party to which millions of people tied their dreams and destiny.
Akinbode, who said Duke betrayed the party despite all the goodwill of the party towards him, stated that he arrested the progress of the party by not commencing campaign at state, regional and federal level, thereby diminishing the potentials and capacities of the party.
He said the NWC also recommended National Vice Chairman (South West), Chief Shupo Shonibare, for expulsion for making himself arrow head of a dissident group in the party.
The faction loyal to Prof. Gana had on Monday backed the candidature of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, contrary to President Muhammadu Buhari that was supported by Prof. Tunde Adeniran-led executive.
The faction at its NEC meeting suspended Prof. Adeniran and National Secretary, Shehu Musa Gabam, whose position was also filled with Adakole Ijogi.
The faction nominated and ratified Chief Shonibare as the new SDP National Chairman.
